Congratulations to Michael Koval and Jenny DeWitt, pictured, upon becoming the first couple to become engaged courtesy of the Diocese of Lansing’s Catholic speed dating initiative . And what a handsome and happy pair they make! God bless you both, Michael and Jenny.
“We are both delighted and very grateful to God,” says 27-year-old Jenny who is a parishioner at Saint Joseph in Howell.
“It can be hard, in this day and age, for a young Catholic to find someone who has the same values as you and who, once married, wants to be rooted in the Catholic faith.”
It was upon a Friday evening back in September 2022 that Michael and Jenny attended the first ever speed dating event organized by the Diocese of Lansing’s Vocation’s Office. The venue was Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Lansing.
Jenny was helping to organize the event. Michael turned up early. Jenny admits to being instantly intrigued by this “handsome and well-dressed man.” As for Michael’s first impression of Jenny?
“When I walked into the event I was just relieved to find somebody who was normal and beautiful,” says 24-year-old Michael who is a parishioner at Church of the Resurrection in Lansing.
“And, lo and behold, when this beautiful and normal woman seemed slightly interested in me? Well, being a simple man, that got my attention!”
Jenny and Michael recalled that the fateful speed dating event drew nearly 100 young participants with the gender split being almost 50/50. The tables in the room were configured into “a large rectangle”. The ladies were sat on the inside. The gentlemen on the outside.
Every two to three minutes all participants would rotate to the next chair and begin a new conversation with a new speed dating partner. Any interest in pursuing a second date was registered discretely using a QR code.
“It was encouraging to know that everybody was there, most likely, for the same reasons: they are Catholic, they are looking for a Catholic spouse, they likely want a family, they likely have very similar ideals,” says Michael.
For Michael and Jenny a second date did, indeed, ensue leading, in turn, to their engagement in October 2023. Their wedding is due to take place this September at Jenny’s home parish of Saint Gerard in Lansing.
“It’s such a joy to share, even if only in some small way, in helping people find their vocation not only to the consecrated life and priesthood but to the married life as well,” says Dawn Hausmann of the Diocese of Lansing’s Office of Vocations, organizers of Catholic speed dating.
“Building a healthy culture of vocations requires the whole body of Christ to get involved in helping one another discern and encounter the vocation of which each is best called to be a gift of self in love.”
“I rejoice with Jenny and Michael in their engagement as the Lord prepares each of them to make this great gift of themselves to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
• If you would like to get the monthly young adult newsletter from the Diocese of Lansing’s Office of Vocations, including future speed dating events, please subscribe on this page here: https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/.../young-adult-newsletter
